”BEST BURGER in Sydney” Since I was so near, and such (food) opportunities shouldn’t be missed. Hmm… and I wandered around Newtown, famous for its mix of eclectic shops, till it officially opened at 4pm.

However, the three of us was walking up and down Mary Street, but didn’t notice any place that barely resembled a burger joint. No Google maps could help us. The pin was there, but where’s Mary’s Burger?!

A delivery man caught our lost, frantic eyes… ”Mary’s Burger? You are standing in front of it. Just walk inside.”

Then, we all felt so silly.

Mary’s was founded in 2013 by Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham in Newtown. It went on to become a Sydney institution, and one of the most popular burger joints around the city.

Do not come expecting a fast-food restaurant. (The location is at in a former STD clinic btw.)

The interior was all about graffiti on the walls, Jack Daniels bottles, dim lighting, old wooden floorboards, and tables made of old railway sleepers.

Punk and rock music played over the stereo (sometimes very loud), and the restaurant was dimly lit to complete the ambience.

The owners wanted to create a place that they would enjoy hanging out in. My friend was slightly uncomfortable with some of the graphics though.

Mary’s specialises in creating burgers and fried chicken. These are American style burgers, something which was lacking in Sydney before Mary’s came along.

Being able to get a taste of American burgers, great music and local beers was attractive to Sydney-siders.

There were just three different burgers on the menu: Mary’s Burger – beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and Mary’s special sauce served with grave of chips AUD$16 (SGD$17.09); Cheeseburger – beef, cheese x 2, pickles, onion, ketchup and mustard served with grave of chips AUD$16 (SGD$17.09); and Vegetable Burger – mushroom, cheese, lettuce, onion and Mary’s sauce served with chips AUD$13 (SGD$13.88).

If I were to come back again, I would order the Fried Chicken – 1/2 AUD$18 (SGD$19.23), whole AUD$36 (SGD$38.45), and Larry Bird AUD$65 (SGD$69.42).

There is just something about quality produce from Australia… the chicken was so succulent, deep fried to a golden dark brown with crisp with a crunch, and you won’t mind getting your hands dirty for this.

Please also order the Mashed Potato and Gravy AUD$5 (SGD$5.34), and the tip would be to swipe some crispy chicken skin into that gooey potato.